France loses Euro 2016, but can claim security victory

Riot police take positions near the Eiffel Tower in Paris during clashes with young troublemakers during the Euro 2016 final soccer match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France, Sunday, July 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

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French soccer supporters pass by a burning car set on fire by young troublemakers during clashes with riot police near the Eiffel Tower during the Euro 2016 final soccer match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France, Sunday, July 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

French police officers search supporters before entering the Paris fan zone, hours before the Euro 2016 final soccer match between Portugal and France, Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – France has lost the Euro 2016 soccer championship but can claim victory on another front — making it safely through the monthlong tournament that drew fans from all over Europe while in a state of emergency and on high alert for extremist attacks.

Keeping France safe was a task involving tens of thousands of security forces in 10 cities. For Sunday night's final alone, when France lost 1-0 to Portugal, there were 1,900 police in the fan zone near the Eiffel Tower.

Thousands more were deployed on the Champs-Elysees and at the Stade de France, one of the venues hit in November's Paris attacks that killed 130.

Police used tear gas and water cannons before the final in clashes with people upset that the fan zone was full and closed.